Kushan Empire of India

( 5 BCE - 365 CE )

Kushan name might have originated from a Yueh-chih clan Kuei-shang.  Yueh-chih arrived from western China after defeated and driven from their tribal lands by Hsiung-nu around 140 BCE. By 125 BCE, Yueh-chih moved into Bactria and Parthia. They also mixed with Hephthalites, Saka, and Tocharian of Central Asia. K'iu-tsiu-k'io,  chief of Kuei-Shang clan united all other clans into one in the First century BCE. Later Kushan kings enlarged their empire by occupying present day Afghanistan and north-western India.  At the present time the knowledge about start of Kushan empire is not clear. However, there is some evidence Heraios was the first ruler of Kushans around the 1st century CE. His successor / joint ruler?  Kujulu Kapdphises expanded the kingdom into India.  Kushans ruled this area for next 300 years. Around 233 CE western part of Kushan Empire was lost to Sasanian Empire. Kushans ruled the eastern part of their empire till 360 CE. Gupta Kings of northern India replaced last Kushan King Vasu Deva III.

List of Kushan Rulers